Failure system for domain name system client

ABSTRACT

A method performed by a domain name service client includes storing DNS entries in a local cache; sending a DNS query to another device to obtain an update to one of the DNS entries; determining whether a DNS response is received; and resetting a time-to-live (TTL) timer associated with the one of the DNS entries when the DNS response is not received.

BACKGROUND

The Domain Name System (DNS) assigns domain names (or host names) toInternet Protocol (IP) addresses. The DNS is a distributed data systemthat utilizes a client-server architecture. Under this architecture, aDNS client sends a query to a DNS server to resolve (e.g., translate) adomain name into an IP address. The DNS server resolves the specificdomain name within a domain space available in the DNS. In instanceswhen the DNS client does not receive a response from the DNS server orreceives an error response from the DNS server, the DNS client is unableto complete a communication process that invoked the DNS query.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which anexemplary DNS client having a failure manager may be implemented;

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of theexemplary DNS client having the failure manager;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device thatmay correspond to one or more of the devices in the exemplaryenvironment depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating exemplary functional componentsassociated with an exemplary implementation of the DNS client;

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary RCode table;

FIGS. 4A-4D are diagrams illustrating exemplary operations that may beperformed by the DNS client when a failure prevents a DNS entry frombeing updated; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary process formanaging DNS entries when a failure prevents the DNS entries from beingupdated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does notlimit the invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, a DNS client may manage DNS resolutions whennetwork connection failures and DNS failures (e.g., a DNS serverfailure, etc.) prevents an updating of DNS entries in a local cache. Inthis way, communication between devices may not be impeded by suchfailures.

In an exemplary implementation, when the DNS client receives a DNSresponse to a DNS query, the DNS client may store DNS information (e.g.,a DNS resource record (RR) included with the DNS response) in a localcache. Typically, the DNS (e.g., a DNS server) may assign a time-to-live(TTL) value to the RR included with the DNS response. The DNS client mayconsider the DNS entry (e.g., the RR) valid until the TTL time periodexpires, at which time the DNS client may initiate another DNS query toupdate the DNS entry. However, when the DNS client does not receive aDNS response to the other DNS query or receives the DNS responseindicating some form of error, the DNS client may preserve the DNS entrythat needs updating and may reset a TTL timer. That is, the DNS entrymay be considered valid and the information may be used. This is incontrast to other approaches in which the DNS entry may remain invalidand communication processes may be halted until an update to the DNSentry is received.

In an exemplary embodiment, in the instance that the DNS (e.g., the DNSserver) is unreachable and the DNS client does not receive a DNSresponse, the DNS client may preserve the DNS entry in the local cacheand reset the TTL timer. Additionally, in the instance that a DNSresponse is received and the DNS response includes an empty RR and aResponse Code (RCode) indicating a temporary failure condition (e.g.,the DNS server may be busy, the DNS server may have failed, etc.), theDNS client may preserve the DNS entry in the local cache and may resetthe TTL timer. Additionally, in the instance that a DNS response isreceived and the DNS responds includes an empty RR and an RCodeindicating a permanent failure condition (e.g., an RR does not exist, aname error, etc.), the DNS client may flush the DNS entry in the localcache. Additionally, in the instance that a DNS response is received andthe DNS response includes a non-empty RR, the DNS client may refresh theDNS entry with the RR from the DNS and reset the TTL timer.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment 100 in whicha DNS client having a failure manager may be implemented. As illustratedin FIG. 1A, exemplary environment 100 may include end devices (EDs)105-1 through 105-N (referred to generally as EDs 105 or ED 105), users110-1 through 110-Z (referred to generally as users 110 or user 110),network 115, network devices 120-1 through 120-X (referred to generallyas network devices 120 or network device 120), and DNS 135 that mayinclude DNS servers 140-1 through 140-Y (referred to generally as DNSservers 140 or DNS server 140). Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 1A,network device 120-1 may include a DNS client 125-1 (referred togenerally as DNS client 125) having a failure manager 130-1 (referred togenerally as failure manager 130).

The number of devices and configuration in environment 100 is exemplaryand provided for simplicity. In practice, environment 100 may includemore devices, fewer devices, different devices, and/or differentlyarranged devices than those illustrated in FIG. 1A. By way of example,but not limited thereto, one or more network devices 120, other thannetwork device 120-1, and/or one or more EDs 105 may include DNS client125 having a failure manager 130. Also, some functions described asbeing performed by a particular device may be performed by a differentdevice or a combination of devices. Environment 100 may include wiredand/or wireless connections among the devices illustrated.

ED 105 may include a device having the capability to communicate withother devices, systems, networks, and/or the like. By way of example,but not limited thereto, ED 105 may include an IP telephone, a wirelesstelephone (e.g., a cellular telephone, etc.), a computer (e.g., alaptop, a desktop, a palmtop, etc.), a personal digital assistant (PDA),a gaming device, a personal communication system (PCS) terminal, apervasive computing device, a video playing device, a music playingdevice, a kiosk, and/or some other type of portable device, mobiledevice, handheld device, stationary device, and/or vehicle-based device.

Network 115 may include one or more networks of a variety of types. Byway of example, but not limited thereto, network 115 may include apublic network, a private network, a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), a telephone network, such as a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a datanetwork, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a Voice-Over IP(VOIP) network, a packet network, the Internet, an intranet, and/or someother type of wired network and/or wireless network, or combinationthereof.

Network device 120 may include a device having the capability tocommunicate with other devices, systems, networks, and/or the like. Byway of example, but not limited thereto, network device 120 may includea switch, a gateway, a router, a bridge, a server, or the like.

DNS client 125 may include a component capable of communicating with DNS135 (e.g., DNS server 140) to resolve a DNS name or a network address.As previously described, DNS client 125 may include a failure manager130. Failure manager 130 may manage DNS entries when network connectionfailures and DNS failures (e.g., a DNS server failure, etc.) prevent theupdating of DNS entries in the local cache. Failure manager 130 maymanage a local cache that stores DNS information and may manage TTLtimers. DNS client 125 and failure manager 130 will be described ingreater detail below.

DNS 135 may include a system that translates (or resolves) domain namesto IP addresses, as well as other functionalities according to the DNSarchitecture. DNS server 140 may include a device associated with DNS135. By way of example, but not limited thereto, DNS server 140 maycorrespond to a master name server, a slave name server, a stub server,a caching-only name server, a public DNS server, or a private DNSserver.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of DNS client125 having failure manager 130. In an exemplary scenario, it may beassumed that a TTL time period has expired (or is about to expire) for aparticular DNS entry stored in a local cache of network device 120-1. Inresponse thereto, network device 120-1 may send a DNS query 145 to DNS135 (e.g., to a DNS server 140) to update the DNS entry. DNS query 145may be received by DNS server 140. However, DNS server 140 may beexperiencing a temporary failure. In such an instance, DNS server 140may send a DNS response indicating a failure 150 to network device120-1. DNS response 150 may include an empty RR and an RCode indicatinga server failure. DNS client 125-1 may receive DNS response indicating afailure 150. Based on this response, DNS client 125-1 may preserve theDNS entry in its local cache and reset the TTL timer 155 associated withthe DNS entry.

As a result of the foregoing, communications may not be impeded when DNSentries may not be updated due to network connection failures and DNSfailures. Rather, according to the exemplary embodiments describedherein, a DNS client may revive a DNS entry that has not been updated(e.g., after a TTL has expired). Since an exemplary embodiment has beenbroadly described, a more detailed description is provided below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device 200that may correspond to one or more of the devices in environment 100.For example, device 200 may correspond to ED 105, network device 120,DNS client 125, and/or DNS server 140. As illustrated, device 200 mayinclude a processing system 205, memory/storage 210 includingapplications 215, and a communication interface 220. In otherimplementations, device 200 may include fewer components, additionalcomponents, different components, and/or a different arrangement ofcomponents than those illustrated in FIG. 2 and described herein.

Processing system 205 may include one or more processors,microprocessors, data processors, co-processors, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), controllers, programmable logic devices,chipsets, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or some othercomponent that may interpret and/or execute instructions and/or data.Processing system 205 may control the overall operation, or a portionthereof, of device 200, based on, for example, an operating systemand/or various applications (e.g., applications 215).

Memory/storage 210 may include one or more memories and/or one or moresecondary storages. For example, memory/storage 210 may include a randomaccess memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a read onlymemory (ROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), a flash memory,and/or some other type of memory. Memory/storage 210 may include a harddisk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, asolid state disk, etc.) or some other type of computer-readable medium,along with a corresponding drive. Memory/storage 210 may include amemory, a storage device, or storage component that is external toand/or removable from device 200, such as, for example, a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) memory stick, a hard disk, mass storage, off-linestorage, etc.

The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, is intended to bebroadly interpreted to include, for example, a memory, a storage device(e.g., a hard disk and corresponding drive), a compact disc (CD), adigital versatile disc (DVD), or the like. The computer-readable mediummay be implemented in a single device, in multiple devices, in acentralized manner, or in a distributed manner. Memory/storage 210 maystore data, application(s), and/or instructions related to the operationof device 200. With reference to DNS client 125, memory/storage 210 mayinclude one or more caches to store DNS information (e.g., a cache thatstores DNS entries to allow DNS resolution).

Applications 215 may include software that provides various services orfunctions. By way of example, but not limited thereto, with reference toED 105, applications 215 may include an e-mail application, a telephoneapplication, a VOIP application, a camera application, a multi-mediaapplication, a visual voicemail application, a contacts application, adata organizer application, an instant messaging application, a textingapplication, a web browsing application, etc. By way of example, but notlimited thereto, with reference to network device 120, applications 215may include one or more applications for routing, providing security,translating and/or converting (e.g., network address translation, portaddress translation, protocol conversion, etc.), and/or othercommunication-related processing. By way of example, but not limitedthereto, with reference to DNS server 140, applications 215 may includeone or more applications for communication related processing associatedwith a DNS architecture (e.g., a DNS server application, etc.).

Communication interface 220 may permit device 200 to communicate withother devices, networks, systems and/or the like. Communicationinterface 220 may include a wireless interface and/or wired interface.

As described herein, device 200 may perform operations in response toprocessing system 205 executing software instructions contained in acomputer-readable medium, such as memory/storage 210. By way of example,but not limited thereto, the software instructions may be read intomemory/storage 210 from another computer-readable medium or from anotherdevice via communication interface 220. The software instructionscontained in memory/storage 210 may cause processing system 205 toperform processes described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitrymay be used in place of or in combination with software instructions toimplement processes described herein. Thus, implementations describedherein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitryand software.

As previously described, in an exemplary implementation, DNS client 125may include failure manager 130. Failure manger 130 may manage DNSentries when network connection failures and DNS failures may prevent anupdating of DNS entries in the local cache. Described below areexemplary functional components and an exemplary table that may beimplemented by an exemplary DNS client 125 and failure manager 130. Aspreviously described, DNS client 125 may be implemented in one or moredevices other than network devices 125 (e.g., EDs 105).

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating exemplary functional componentsassociated with an exemplary implementation of DNS client 125. Asillustrated, DNS client 125 may include failure manager 130 having a DNSPacket Inspector 305, a TTL manager 310, and a cache manager 315. DNSPacket Inspector 305, TTL manager 310, and/or cache manager 315, may beimplemented as a combination of hardware (e.g., processing system 205,etc.) and software (e.g., applications 215, etc.) based on thecomponents illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 2.Alternatively, DNS Packet Inspector 305, TTL manager 310, and/or cachemanager 315 may be implemented as hardware based on the componentsillustrated and described with respect to FIG. 2. Alternatively, DNSPacket Inspector 305, TTL manager 310, and/or cache manager 315 may beimplemented in a combination with firmware.

DNS Packet Inspector 305 may inspect a DNS packet. In an exemplaryimplementation, DNS Packet Inspector 305 may determine whether an RR isempty (or not present) and interpret RCodes included in a DNS packet. Byway of example, but not limited thereto, according to the DNS protocol,DNS 135 (e.g., DNS servers 140) may include RRs and RCodes in DNSresponses. RRs may define data types in the DNS and may include DNSinformation to permit DNS resolution. RCodes may indicate a particularcondition or a particular status of a DNS operation, such as a query oran update. RCode values may correspond to an adopted standard (e.g.,values adopted by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IRNA)) and/orcorrespond to a proprietary or a private RCode value scheme, extensionsto a standard, or the like. By way of example, but not limited thereto,an RCode=0 may indicate no error, an RCode=1 may indicate a formaterror, RCode=2 may indicate a server failure, etc.

DNS Packet Inspector 305 may categorize particular RCodes. By way ofexample, but not limited thereto, in an exemplary implementations,RCodes may be categorized as representing a temporary failure conditionor a permanent failure condition. In other implementations, other typesof error or failure categories may be provisioned. In an exemplaryimplementation, DNS Packet Inspector 305 may consult an RCode table todetermine whether an RCode value may be considered a temporary failurecondition or a permanent failure condition. An exemplary RCode table isdescribed in greater detail below.

TTL manager 310 may manage a TTL timer. As previously described, the TTLtimer may govern a time in which DNS entries that have been cached maybe considered valid. Typically, the TTL may be defined by a domainadministrator associated with DNS 135 (e.g., associated with DNS server140).

In an exemplary implementation, TTL manager 310 may reset the TTL timereven though a DNS entry has not been updated. By way of example, but notlimited thereto, TTL manager 310 may reset the TTL timer when DNS client125 determines that DNS 135 is unreachable (e.g., a DNS response to aDNS query is not received) and/or when a DNS response includes an emptyRR and an RCode indicates a temporary failure condition. TTL manager 135may also reset the TTL timer when DNS client 125 receives a DNS responsethat includes an RR (an update to a DNS entry). In other instances, TTLmanager 310 may delete the TTL timer associated with a DNS entry when aDNS response includes an empty RR and an RCode indicates a permanentfailure condition.

Cache manager 315 may manage a cache that stores DNS entries (e.g.,RRs). By way of example, but not limited thereto, DNS client 125 mayconsult the cache to resolve a domain name to an IP address rather thanquerying a remote DNS server 140.

In an exemplary implementation, cache manager 315 may preserve a DNSentry when the DNS client 125 determines that DNS 135 is unreachable(e.g., a DNS response is not received, etc.) or when a DNS responseincludes an empty RR and an RCode indicates a temporary failurecondition. In other instances, cache manager 315 may flush (i.e.,delete) a DNS entry when the DNS response includes an empty RR and anRCode indicates a permanent failure condition. Cache manager 315 mayrefresh (or update) the cache when the DNS response includes an RR.

Although FIG. 3A illustrates exemplary functional components of DNSclient 125, in other implementations, DNS client 125 may include fewerfunctional components, additional functional components, differentfunctional components, and/or a different arrangement of functionalcomponents than those illustrated in FIG. 3A and described.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more operations described asbeing performed by a particular functional component may be performed byone or more other functional components, in addition to or instead ofthe particular functional component, and/or one or more functionalcomponents may be combined.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary RCode table 320. The term“table,” as used herein is intended to be broadly interpreted to includean arrangement of data or a data structure. In an exemplary embodiment,DNS client 125 may store RCode table 320. As illustrated, by way ofexample, but not limited thereto, RCode table 320 may include an RCodefield 325 and an RCode type field 330.

In other implementations, RCode table 320 may include additional fields,fewer fields, and/or different fields than those illustrated in FIG. 3Band described. For example, RCode table 320 may store a field thatindicates a duration of time that has transpired before the last updateor some other information (e.g., a value indicating a measure of howstatic or how volatile an IP address may be (e.g., over a certain periodof time)) in which DNS client 125 may determine whether to preserve orflush a DNS entry and/or whether to reset the TTL timer or not. Forexample, the more static the IP address, the greater the probabilitythat the DNS entry has valid information, in which case, the TTL timermay be reset and the DNS entry may be preserved. Conversely, the lessstatic or the more volatile the IP address, DNS client 125 may limit thenumber of times the TTL timer may be reset, etc.

RCode field 325 may indicate an RCode value. In an exemplaryimplementation, RCodes may correspond to numerical values. As previouslydescribed, RCode values may correspond to an adopted standard (e.g.,values adopted by the IRNA according to various Request For Comments(RFCs)) and/or correspond to a proprietary or a private RCode valuescheme, an extension to a standard, or the like.

RCode type field 330 may indicate a type of RCode based on a meaningassociated with an RCode value. A network administrator may assign anRCode type to a particular RCode. In an exemplary implementation, RCodevalues may be assigned an RCode type corresponding to temporary failurecondition or a permanent failure condition. In other exemplaryimplementations, other types of error cateogries and/or failurecategories may be created based on the RCode values (e.g., DNS servererrors, DNS format errors, etc.). By way of example, but not limitedthereto, a temporary failure condition may correspond to a DNS serverfailure, a DNS server which may be busy, a badly or incorrectlyformatted DNS query, etc. Further, by way of example, but not limitedthereto, a permanent failure condition may correspond to an RR that doesnot exist, a non-existent domain, etc.

FIGS. 4A-4D are diagrams illustrating exemplary operations that may beperformed by DNS client 125 when a DNS failure or a network connectionfailure prevents a DNS entry from being updated.

Referring to FIG. 4A, assume that DNS client 125 may receive a DNSresponse 405 in response to a DNS query (not illustrated). DNS PacketInspector 305 may inspect 410 DNS response 405 to determine whether anRR is present and to interpret an RCode value. In an exemplaryimplementation, when DNS response 405 does not include an RR, DNS PacketInspector 305 may consult 415 RCode Table 320 (e.g., RCode type field330) to determine whether the RCode value corresponds to a temporaryfailure condition or a permanent failure condition. DNS Packet Inspector305 may provide commands to TTL manager 310 and cache manager 315 basedon the failure condition determined.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when DNS Packet Inspector 305 determines the typeof failure condition (e.g., temporary or permanent), DNS PacketInspector 305 may issue a TTL command 420 to TTL manager 310 and a cachecommand 425 to cache manager 315. For example, when the RCode isdetermined to correspond to a temporary failure condition, TTL command420 may indicate to reset the TTL timer. In this instance, TTL manager310 may reset the TTL timer 430 associated with the appropriate DNSentry. Additionally, when the RCode is determined to correspond to atemporary failure condition, cache command 425 may indicate to preservethe RR in the cache. In this instance, cache manager 315 may preserve(i.e., continue to store) the RR 435 associated with the appropriate DNSentry.

In another example, when the RCode is determined to correspond to apermanent failure condition, TTL command 420 may indicate to delete theTTL timer associated with the appropriate RR. In this instance, TTLmanager 310 may delete a TTL time 440 associated with the appropriateDNS entry. Additionally, when the RCode is determined to correspond to apermanent failure condition, cache command 425 may indicate to flush theRR in the cache. In this instance, cache manager 315 may delete the RR445 associated with the appropriate DNS entry.

In other circumstances, DNS client 125 may not receive a DNS responsefrom DNS 135 when a DNS query is sent. For example, there may be anetwork connection failure between a device hosting DNS client 125(e.g., network device 120) and DNS server 140.

Referring to FIG. 4C, it may be assumed that DNS client 125 sends a DNSquery 450 to DNS 135. In this instance, however, no DNS response 455 maybe received by DNS client 125, as indicated by the “X” in FIG. 4C. DNSclient 125 may have a certain time period for waiting for a DNSresponse, after which, a timeout 460 may occur.

Referring to FIG. 4D, with knowledge that a DNS response has not beenreceived, DNS client 125 (e.g., DNS Packet Inspector 305) may issue aTTL command 470 to TTL manager 310 and a cache command 475 to cachemanager 315. In this instance, TTL manager 310 may reset the TTL timer480 associated with the appropriate DNS entry and cache manager 315 maypreserve the RR 485 associated with the appropriate DNS entry.

Further, as previously described, in the instance a DNS responseincludes an RR, and the RCode does not indicate a failure condition, DNSclient 125 may refresh the DNS entry stored in cache with the updatedDNS information and may reset the TTL timer.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary process 500for managing DNS entries when a failure prevents the DNS entries frombeing updated. In an exemplary implementation, process 500 may beperformed by network device 120, which includes DNS client 125 havingfailure manager 130. In other implementations, process 500 may beperformed by another device that includes DNS client 125 having failuremanager 130 (e.g., ED 105, etc.).

Process 500 may include sending a DNS query (block 505). For example, aspreviously illustrated and described, DNS client 125 may send a DNSquery to DNS 135. In an exemplary implementation, the DNS query may berequesting an update to a DNS entry (e.g., an RR) stored in a cache. TheDNS entry may be expired or soon to be expired according to a TTL timer.

It may be determined whether a DNS response is received (block 510). Forexample, DNS client 125 may determine whether a DNS response is receivedfrom DNS 135. In an exemplary implementation, DNS client 125 may includea timeout mechanism (e.g., to determine whether a DNS response isreceived within a certain period of time).

If it is determined that a DNS response is not received (block 510—NO),a DNS entry in the cache may be preserved (block 515) and a TTL timermay be reset (block 520). By way of example, but not limited thereto,DNS client 125 (e.g., cache manager 315 and TTL manager 310) maypreserve the appropriate DNS entry in the cache and may reset the TTLtimer associated with the appropriate DNS entry. In such an instance,DNS client 125 may consider the DNS entry valid and utilize the DNSentry when invoked by a communication process (e.g., a VOIP call, etc.).

If it is determined that a DNS response is received (block 510—YES), itmay be determined whether an RR is empty (block 525). For example, DNSclient 125 (e.g., DNS Packet Inspector 305) may determine whether an RRis present in the DNS response.

If it is determined that the RR is not empty (block 525—NO), a DNS entryin the cache may be preserved (block 530) and a TTL timer may be reset(block 535—FIG. 5B). By way of example, but not limited thereto, DNSclient 125 (e.g., cache manager 315 and TTL manager 310) may refresh theappropriate DNS entry in the cache based on the RR included with the DNSresponse received, and may reset the TTL timer associated with theappropriate DNS entry. In such an instance, DNS client 125 may considerthe DNS entry valid and utilize the DNS entry when invoked by acommunication process (e.g., a VOIP call, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 5A, if it is determined that the RR is empty (block525—YES), the RCode may be inspected (block 540). For example, DNSclient 125 (e.g., DNS Packet Inspector 305) may inspect an RCodeincluded with the DNS response received and obtain the RCode value.

Referring to FIG. 5B, it may be determined whether the RCode valuecorresponds to a temporary failure condition or a permanent failurecondition (block 545). By way of example, but not limited thereto, DNSPacket Inspector 305 may compare the RCode value to entries in RCodetable 320 (e.g., RCode fields 325) to find a match. When a match isfound, DNS Packet Inspector 305 may access the corresponding entry inRCode type field 330 to determine whether the RCode value corresponds toa temporary failure condition or a permanent failure condition.

If it is determined that the RCode value corresponds to a temporaryfailure condition (block 545-TEMPORARY), a DNS entry in the cache may bepreserved (block 550) and a TTL timer may be reset (block 555). By wayof example, but not limited thereto, DNS client 125 (e.g., cache manager315 and TTL manager 310) may preserve the appropriate DNS entry in thecache and may reset the TTL timer associated with the appropriate DNSentry. In such an instance, DNS client 125 may consider the DNS entryvalid and utilize the DNS entry when invoked by a communication process(e.g., a VOIP call, etc.).

If it is determined that the RCode value corresponds to a permanentfailure condition (block 545-PERMANENT), a DNS entry may be flushed fromthe cache (block 560) and a TTL timer may be deleted (block 565). By wayof example, but not limited thereto, DNS client 125 (e.g., cache manager315 and TTL manager 310) may flush (e.g., delete) the appropriate DNSentry in the cache and may delete the TTL timer associated with theappropriate DNS entry.

Although FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an exemplary process 500 for, inother implementations, process 500 may include additional operations,fewer operations, and/or different operations than those illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B and described. For example, process 500 may utilizeerror categories and/or failure categories that are different fromtemporary and permanent failure categories, as described.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration, butis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Accordingly, modifications to theimplementations described herein may be possible. For example, theprocesses described herein may be applicable to reverse DNS updates inwhich a DNS failure or a network connection failure prevents an updateto a host name or a domain name associated with an IP address.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to be interpreted to includeone or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to beinterpreted as “based, at least in part, on,” unless explicitly statedotherwise. The term “and/or” is intended to be interpreted to includeany and all combinations of one or more of the associated items.

In addition, while a series of blocks has been described with regard tothe process illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the order of the blocks maybe modified in other implementations. Further, non-dependent blocks maybe performed in parallel.

It will be apparent that the embodiments described herein may beimplemented in many different forms of software or firmware incombination with hardware in the implementations illustrated in thefigures. The actual software code (executable by hardware) orspecialized control hardware used to implement the device, method,and/or system does not limit the disclosure of the invention. Thus, theoperation and behavior of the devices and/or systems, or the performingof the methods was described without reference to the specific softwarecode—it being understood that software and control hardware can bedesigned to implement the device, method, and/or system based on thedescription herein.

Further certain features described above may be implemented as “logic”or a “component” that performs one or more functions. This logic orcomponent may include hardware, such as one or more processors, one ormore microprocessors, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, etc., acombination of hardware and software, or a combination with firmware,etc.

In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, andadditional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from thebroader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow.The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the implementations describedherein unless explicitly described as such.

1. A method comprising: storing, by a domain name system (DNS) clientdevice, DNS entries in a local cache; sending, by the DNS client device,a DNS query to another device to obtain an update to one of the DNSentries; receiving a DNS response; inspecting a response code valueincluded in the DNS response; and determining whether the response codevalue corresponds to an error category that indicates that the one ofthe DNS entries is to be deleted, or that the one of the DNS entries isto be saved and a time-to-live (TTL) timer is to be reset.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein when inspecting, the method further comprises:determining whether a DNS resource record (RR) included in the DNSresponse is empty or not; and inspecting the response code value fromthe DNS response when the DNS RR is empty.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein when determining whether the response code value corresponds tothe error category, the method further comprises: determining whetherthe response code value corresponds to a temporary failure or apermanent failure.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:resetting the TTL timer associated with the one of the DNS entries whenthe response code value corresponds to the temporary failure.
 5. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: deleting the one of the DNSentries from the local cache when the response code value corresponds tothe permanent failure.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein when the DNSresponse is received, the method further comprises: determining whethera DNS resource record (RR) included in the DNS response is empty or not;updating the one of the DNS entries when the DNS RR is not empty; andresetting the TTL timer associated with the one of the DNS entries. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing data that mapsresponse code values to error categories; and wherein when the DNSresponse is received and the DNS response includes an empty DNS resourcerecord, the method further comprises: determining the error categoryassociated with the response code included in the DNS response based onthe data stored.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: comparingthe response code included in the DNS response with the data stored. 9.A device comprising: a domain name system (DNS) client; one or morememories to store instructions; and one or more processors to executethe instructions in the one or more memories to: store DNS entries in acache, wherein the DNS entries provide DNS resolutions; send a DNS queryto another device to obtain an update to one of the DNS entries; receivea DNS response; inspect a response code value included in the DNSresponse; and determine whether the response code value corresponds toan error category that indicates that the one of the DNS entries is tobe deleted, or that the one of the DNS entries is to be saved and atime-to-live (TTL) timer is to be reset.
 10. The device of claim 9,wherein the device comprises one of a network device or an end device.11. The device of claim 9, wherein when inspecting, the one or moreprocessors are to execute instructions to: determine whether a DNSresource record (RR) is empty or not when the DNS response is received;and inspect a response code value from the DNS response when the DNS RRis empty.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein when determining whetherthe response code value corresponds to the error category, the one ormore processors are to execute instructions to: determine whether theresponse code value corresponds to a temporary failure or a permanentfailure.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processorsare to execute instructions to: delete the one of the DNS entries whenthe response code value corresponds to the error category that indicatesthat the one of the DNS entries is to be deleted.
 14. The device ofclaim 9, wherein the one or more processors are to execute instructionsto: continue to save the one of the DNS entries when the response codevalue corresponds to the error category that indicates that the one ofthe DNS entries is to be saved; and reset the TTL timer associated withthe one of the DNS entries.
 15. The device of claim 9, wherein the oneor more processors are to execute instructions to: determine whether aDNS resource record (RR) is empty or not when the DNS response isreceived; update the one of the DNS entries with the DNS RR when the DNSRR is not empty; and reset the TTL timer associated with the one of theDNS entries.
 16. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or moreprocessors are to execute instructions to: reset the TTL timerassociated with the one of the DNS entries when a DNS response is notreceived.
 17. A tangible computer-readable medium containinginstructions executable by at least one processor, the computer-readablemedium storing instructions to: manage domain name system (DNS) entriesin a cache associated with a DNS client; send a DNS query to anotherdevice to obtain an update to one of the DNS entries; receive a DNSresponse; inspect a response code value included in the DNS response;and determine whether the response code value corresponds to an errorcategory that indicates that the one of the DNS entries is to bedeleted, or that the one of the DNS entries is to be saved and atime-to-live (TTL) timer is to be reset.
 18. The tangiblecomputer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions toinspect further comprise one or more instructions to: determine whethera DNS resource record (RR) is empty or not when the DNS response isreceived; and inspect the response code value from the DNS response whenthe DNS RR is empty.
 19. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim17, further comprising one or more instructions to: continue to save theone of the DNS entries when the response code value corresponds to theerror category that indicates that the one of the DNS entries is to besaved; and reset the TTL timer associated with the one of the DNSentries.
 20. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 17, furthercomprising one or more instructions to: delete the one of the DNSentries when the response code value corresponds to the error categorythat indicates that the one of the DNS entries is to be deleted.